Chapter Text
Darth Vader
"I should have known the Jedi were plotting to take over!"
"Anakin, Chancellor Palpatine is evil!"
"From my point of view, the Jedi are!"
He woke up shaken, frightened. For a moment, he thought that nightmare, one of the many that tormented him was actually happening.
A full year had passed since the war began. And although events were unfolding in a similar way, never with the same sequence or results as the first time. That was a constant. The bombing of Cato Neimoidia was one of those events; it happened, but Obi-Wan’s investigation went completely well. Anakin, as he had the first time, offered his help. But during Obi-Wan’s week on the planet, he never required it. His master was able to solve the mystery perfectly, preventing the planet from joining the Separatists, though they still insisted on remaining neutral. Ventress had been front-page news in the reports. The woman was exactly as he remembered her, capable, volatile, and persistent. Though it wouldn’t take long for Dooku to betray her. On the other hand, Grievous. The Separatist general had a hobby of killing Jedi and collecting sabers.
And above all the things that followed his pattern, Ahsoka as his padawan. Now he understood her better, now he knew that there was no way he would let Barriss or the Council dare to hurt her.
Surprisingly, he now had a friendship with Padmé, even though his heart still raced when he saw her, he understood that maybe things had gotten out of hand and maybe it had been rushed. In a way, being the Chosen One and having that power could have unintentionally influenced the woman’s mind.
The Jedi Council were still ignorant of everything that was happening behind their backs and even of what was being plotted right under their noses, but this time he understood that at no point were they depriving him of opportunities, they were simply letting time act. Yoda was even stranger than he thought, maybe nine hundred years had already toasted the little master’s brain, yet thinking that the small master had seen so much of the Order, had trained so many people… it was respectable. Mace Windu, surprisingly, even kind of appealed to him, the man was stern, he didn’t deny it, but it was the kind of rectitude the Order needed. He didn’t deny they were still attached to a code that had expired years ago, failing to adapt, but everyone’s intentions were good.
And Obi-Wan, the biggest change. Now he had more confidence to tell him how he felt, even though the guilt of all the past events still echoed inside him, he no longer felt resentment. He understood that the real ones responsible were Sidious and himself. He kept circling around the idea of telling Obi-Wan everything, telling him that somehow he came from the future, asking him to help avoid it all. But how was he going to confess that he betrayed everything he swore to protect?
His master’s tearful eyes were a very difficult memory to forget, and just thinking that the only times he saw the man shed tears were events caused by Darth Vader. Obi-Wan had lost Qui-Gon, but at the funeral and in the days after, although he saw him sad, the tears never appeared. Then the Duchess of Mandalore, he had a very clear memory of that, seeing Obi-Wan arrive devastated, broken; he knew she meant a lot to him. But he also didn’t see him waver in front of him.
Sitting on the edge of the small bed in the room of the cruiser he was traveling in, he was still debating what he should do. How would this Obi-Wan take things?
—General —he heard someone call him from the other side. Rex.
—Right away —he put on his boots and opened the door. He found his commander, a clone like all the others, loyal, passionate, and brave. What had become of him after Order 66? Cody had continued serving the Empire, as far as he knew. But Rex had vanished. Dead?
—You have a message from General Kenobi, Commander Tano is waiting for you on the bridge to listen to it —he informed him, saluting like the soldier he was.
—Relax, Rex —he gave him a pat on the shoulder —let’s go right away.
On the bridge, Ahsoka along with R2D2 were waiting for him. In the end Padmé ended up giving him the droid, saying it would be more useful to him in battle than to her in the Senate. And she was right, R2 had saved his life countless times, he wouldn’t let the droid get bored next to 3P0 in the Senate for anything. C3PO, he had to call his mother to apologize for stealing his own droid. Although she, always affectionate, didn’t mind. He talked to her when he could, even if he did it secretly, he was aware Obi-Wan knew, although he only warned him he had to be wise with the actions he took.
—What’s up, Snips? —he greeted her, she only gave him a mischievous look.
—Master Kenobi left a message —she proceeded to play it so everyone could see it.
“—Anakin, the Council received a lead about what possibly happened to Master Coleman. A source reported having found traces of the master’s ship abandoned on a moon near Jabiim. At first it seemed something simple, but there is high Separatist activity in the area. A scouting team went to investigate first, but we haven’t heard from them either. I will arrive at Jabiim first and there we will meet to form the team that will go to the remains of the ship. This information is confidential and I hope you know how to keep it as secret as possible... see you...”
—Well, you know, Snips, get ready to use your detective senses —he knew Ahsoka was nervous; for an entire year they had heard nothing about Master Coleman, and finding a lead might help bring peace to everyone in the Temple —Rex, get the men ready, we must set course for Jabiim immediately.
—Right away, sir —Rex left the bridge and began giving orders through the communicator.
When he saw the clone was far enough away, he approached his padawan —What’s wrong, Ahsoka?
—I don’t like this at all, I have a bad feeling —she shrugged.
—Don’t say that. Besides, you’ll be there only to help with area scans, I promise —he didn’t want the girl to see something horrifying, he knew what they could find in the remains of that ship. Not that she didn’t already see the horrors of war daily, but at least he could make it more bearable.
—Besides, did you see how Master Kenobi looked? It seems like he hasn’t slept in days, he looks extremely tired —observant as always, the padawan.
—I know, Ahsoka, but when we get there, I’ll make him sleep at least a couple of hours. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of my master. Now, you should rest too, I fear that when we arrive, we must be ready for any eventuality.
—Alright, Master, don’t forget to do it yourself —she left the bridge, R2 behind her. Even if he talked about sending everyone to rest, Anakin didn’t feel capable of following his own advice. He was afraid of falling back into another nightmare, lately they were more frequent. Could it have something to do with Sidious?
When they arrived, the place was a disaster. The remains of the battles fought on the planet were still evident, and besides, the risk of Separatist activity was high, they had to be extremely careful. Cody welcomed them, among all the clones, for some reason, he seemed to be the most serious of them all. He could see how the 501st and the 212th worked very well together. Not only were Obi-Wan and he a great team, their battalions were too.
They walked to one of the tents, where Obi-Wan was waiting for them inside, speaking with Master Yoda.
—May the Force be with you, young Obi-Wan —the transmission was cut, and attention went straight to the newcomers.
—Ahsoka! —he greeted the youngest first —Rex, Anakin —the beeps from R2D2 didn’t take long —and of course, how could I forget, R2D2 —he circled the central table. There were datapads everywhere. Obi-Wan’s eye bags, now that he saw him in person and not through the holoprojector, were frightening. Does this man know what sleep is?
“Are you alright?” —he asked through the bond.
The bond, his anchor in the light. His source of stability, happiness. Obi-Wan had suggested at some point that they should sever it, prepare to let go of that connection. But like the first time, the war simply kept postponing the situation, and now it was too evident how useful it was to use the bond.
Obi-Wan only smiled —The unit sent ahead still hasn’t appeared. We’ll go as a small group, nothing too conspicuous, to scan the area. According to the last report from the unit before they disappeared, the ship was clearly shot down.
—Were they near the remains of the ship when they disappeared? —Ahsoka asked.
—We don’t know, the unit was supposed to report every 40 minutes, but they only managed to make two reports, nothing out of the ordinary —Cody commented.
—Do we have anything else? —Anakin inquired.
—It’s a moon, the terrain is rocky, it seemed to have volcanic activity, but the entire perimeter is completely inactive —Cody continued.
Anakin immediately recognized the place after seeing the star map. The fight with Obi-Wan before ending up returning to the past had been on that very moon… the Force was somehow taking him back to this point. A new terror, returning to the starting point.
—Everything alright, Anakin? —his master's voice pulled him out of the trance.
—No. I mean yes, I was just trying to understand what’s happening. Ahsoka, you and a team of 5 clones will stay on the ship as backup. You’ll handle area scans from there and send us all possible information. One of those clones must be Kix. Just in case we need a medic’s opinion —he looked again at Obi-Wan, who had a hand on his chin, thinking as well —Obi-Wan, Rex, Cody and I will go down to the wreckage, along with R2. Whatever is there, we’ll be able to find it quickly and maybe, with luck, recover something of Master Coleman —he searched for Obi-Wan’s approval.
—I suggest at least two more clones accompany us —added Obi-Wan.
—Perfect. When do we leave? —Rex asked immediately.
Obi-Wan was about to answer, but Anakin interrupted him —in four hours. Get ready, gear up, and meet in the launch area.
Everyone left the tent immediately, leaving Anakin with his master.
—Four hours? Anakin, I think you’re exaggerating.
—You can sleep three and prepare for departure in one —he put his hands on his waist —Obi-Wan, how long has it been since you slept? Leave those reports and statistics aside…
—Alright, I give up. I’m not going to argue —too easy. What was he up to?
—I’m serious, Master, don’t go to your tent to keep working.
—And I’m serious as well —he began to leave the tent —everything alright, Anakin?
The nightmares, Sidious, the war, not finding the chance to kill the Sith, the guilt.
—Yes, everything’s fine. Now go sleep, Obi-Wan, what would your admirers say if they saw you like this?
—Admirers?
—Go sleep.
Once they arrived on the moon, the three Jedi could feel that something wasn’t right. Anakin, on one hand, could only think that everywhere he looked there were memories of the battle with Obi-Wan. Ahsoka was nervous, and Anakin wasn’t helping calm her with all the anguish he was letting slip through the Force.
—Ahsoka, please start running the scanners right away —Obi-Wan could see how nervous the padawan was —Trust in the Force and trust in your team —he looked at the clones who were with her. Ahsoka had chosen Kix, Echo, Fives, Waxer and Boil to accompany her. Clones from both battalions.
—Yes, Master, we’ll start immediately —the padawan found resolve at once and began to work.
—Everyone else, let’s go down and see what we find, the faster we finish, the better —he waited for Anakin to say a few words, as usual, but Anakin remained lost in his thoughts, he could feel confusion in the Force. Regret?
They went down to the terrain and everything was calm, the Force wasn’t showing them danger for the moment. But the atmosphere was rather eerie. they could see, about 500 meters from where they had landed, the parts of the ship. They approached cautiously and began to examine the area.
Even though in theory it was daytime, the moon wasn’t able to take in enough light from the nearby sun for them to have proper illumination —Anything, Ahsoka? —Anakin asked through the communicator.
—Nothing, Master, but I can see animal activity farther ahead, the two largest pieces of the ship are about 600 meters from where you are.
—Good, we’ll move forward then.
They reached what was the largest chunk of the ship. It was immense, or at least it felt that way, standing next to what was now just scrap metal.
—We’ll divide up —Cody commented —into two groups of 3, we’ll make a sweep around the ship and meet again on the other side, maybe we’ll find a safe way in.
—Sounds good —Obi-Wan agreed —Ahsoka, we’ll make a sweep. Do you see anything?
—Nothing, Master, the scanners only show small fauna —the girl answered from the other side —though the radars show instability very close to the ship, I’m still not sure what it is.
Anakin, Rex, and one clone formed the first team; Cody, Obi-Wan, and the other clone who had come formed the second team.
—No reckless risks, Anakin. Report immediately if you find something —his master warned right away.
—Relax, Obi-Wan, Rex is with me —he patted Rex on the back —He’ll know how to keep me in line.
—General… —Rex just laughed, he was already used to the jokes between Obi-Wan and Anakin.
Anakin’s group had been walking for a while, finding an opening safe enough to enter —Obi-Wan, I have a safe entry into the ship —he waited a few seconds and looked at Rex —Obi-Wan, do you copy?
—Cody, do you copy? —Rex tried.
Nothing.
—Ahsoka! —he called to his padawan, scared.
—Mas... Ther... ence... I can’t contac... —the signal was terrible.
—Hey, Ahsoka. Try to figure out what’s interfering —as usual, things were going to get complicated.
—Let’s go find Obi-Wan —they continued immediately, but when they reached the meeting point, they only found the new clone, fresh out of Kamino, who had gone with Obi-Wan’s team, lying on the ground, lightsaber marks on him and on the ship’s hull. And an opening, perfect for entering the ship.
—General, he has no pulse —the clone checked his brother —there’s no trace of Commander Cody. But the saber marks indicate they went inside.
—And that’s what we’ll do —Anakin ventured at once.
—Are you sure, General? —Rex sounded nervous —I don’t like this at all.
—Me neither, but if they went in, it was most likely trying to protect themselves from the attacker, the marks indicate a fight —there was also the possibility that Obi-Wan was the attacker, but that made no sense. He didn’t want to mention it either, he didn’t want to alarm the men.
Inside, the ship was a disaster; pieces of it made it impossible to walk freely, cables and equipment were everywhere. The metal creaked, and leaks could be heard. It was a whole horror scene straight out of the holovideos usually broadcast on the holonet.
—Let’s try to get to the command bridge, most likely Obi-Wan is also trying to get there to obtain the black box. Stay alert.
—Understood! —both clones responded in unison.
After a while of walking and climbing through the twisted corridors, they managed to reach the hallway before the command bridge, but everything was too deteriorated to walk in a straight line. A large hole blocked their way, and when they tried to get closer, all the metal screeched, about to collapse.
—We must find another route —Anakin looked at the clones and noticed something —Where is the new guy?
Rex immediately turned, surprised not to see him anywhere, tried the communicator and there was only interference —General... I don’t like this at all.
Anakin tried to search for Obi-Wan through their bond, but like that time on Geonosis, it was as if he wasn’t there, nothing. He never had the chance to ask him how he did that; Obi-Wan hadn’t done it before, it was new and it scared him. He tried to ask the Force for an answer, and then he felt it. The dark side, heaviness, anger. Something dark was in the place.
—Rex, be alert. There’s something in the ship —he drew his saber, ready to fight, and suddenly the ship shook, blaster fire was heard —It’s them. Where did it come from?
—I think from the west... —footsteps could be heard above them, claws scraping against metal —it’s above us, General —Another tremor and the entire floor beneath them began to crumble —General, watch out! General!
When Anakin regained consciousness, his whole body hurt. His fall was cushioned by getting tangled in the cables, and when he reached the floor or what passed for floor, the impact was lessened. He tried to get up, and when he leaned on his arm he realized he had probably broken something. He heard a noise in the background, a voice repeating the same thing, but he couldn’t understand anything.
"—Vulture droids, and the ship of the... Vulture droids, and the ship of the... Vulture droids, and the ship of the..." —once he got closer, he understood better. When he arrived, he found Obi-Wan sitting next to the control console, possibly trying to fix the message.
—Master —Anakin said calmly, and Obi-Wan gave a small startled jump.
—Anakin! What are you doing here? —he looked confused.
—More like what are you doing here... why are you completely closed off in the Force? I can't feel you at all —something strange was happening.
—Ventress is here, she attacked me and killed one of the new ones —Obi-Wan’s eyes were full of guilt, he was blaming himself for not being able to save him —she cornered us and Cody and I entered the ship. But there’s something in here, I’m not sure what kind of animal it is, from what I managed to see, it was a nexu, it's extremely violent. Ventress followed us, but the ship is coming down, Cody and I split up. I got to this room because I heard the message. Master Coleman tried to send a warning, but apparently the Separatists put a signal block on the ship, all communications are impossible, most likely it was damaged during the battle, but it's still quite functional.
—Okay, let me check, I’ll make it play the full message —Obi-Wan stepped aside to let him through —I can’t communicate with Ahsoka, I guess it's because of the block —he glanced slightly at Obi-Wan, his master looked distracted and had the face of someone who truly had not slept —did you sleep like I told you?
Obi-Wan focused his eyes and gave him a guilty look —I’m sorry Anakin, I got distracted on my way to my tent, I was checking supplies and when I realized, it was already time to leave.
—Obi-Wan, exhaustion is going to finish you before anything else.
In a few seconds, the message played.
“—This is a message for the Jedi Council. On one of the moons near Jabiin, we were able to find an ancient Sith temple. It was completely destroyed, possibly by the Separatists, the system is full of them. Upon examining the ruins, we found what I believe is an ancient Sith holocron. We retrieved it to bring it safely to Coruscant. But upon leaving the moon, a swarm of Separatist ships intercepted us; they’re vulture droids, and General Grievous’ ship, the Invisible Hand. Our ship is falling onto another moon, we have multiple system failures, the escape pods have been disabled. I regret to report that we will not be able to complete the mission. I only hope that what was recovered in this mission reaches the right hands. May the Force be with you.”
—Grievous was here, and now Ventress. They must want the holocron —Anakin said impatiently.
—In all this disaster, finding it won’t be easy—if Ventress doesn’t already have it —Obi-Wan sounded pessimistic.
—So neither of you has it —the woman’s voice made them turn immediately.
—Ventress —they both said at once.
—I honestly didn’t expect to see you back here... —the older one said, choosing his words carefully, the Negotiator was trying to buy time to come up with a plan. There was little room to fight.
—For now, my master has proven loyal, Obi-Wan. Why should I believe the lies of a Jedi? —she replied, this was clearly a continuation of some previous conversation. His master never stopped flirting with all their enemies, but this time, it was as if he were trying to convince her of something.
—Let’s just say he won’t stay that way for long, be careful —great, now Anakin was intrigued to know what these two were talking about —but since you don’t have the holocron, dear, how about we discuss the reason you’re desperately looking for the artifact? —he was already flirting again, changing his tone of voice, softer accent, a slightly friendlier tone.
But that would have to wait—the roar of the wild animal on the ship alerted them immediately.
—Can you feel it, Kenobi? The darkness emanating from the holocron is what makes the animal even more savage —Ventress continued.
—It’s a nexu, dear, they’re always savage —Obi-Wan joked. Well, he was going to have to talk to his master, calling Ventress “dear” was not a good look.
“We need to get out of here,” Anakin warned his master through the bond.
“I agree.”
The ship shook violently again, pieces of metal falling uncontrollably, and the two Jedi took the opportunity. The hallway they had been running through collapsed behind them, trapping Ventress on the other side and leaving them completely disoriented, the ship was unrecognizable, they didn’t know exactly where they were. They went down a bit more until they reached what seemed to be Master Coleman’s cabin.
—I can feel something in the Force —Anakin warned.
Obi-Wan opened himself to the Force again, Anakin could feel him immediately —How do you do that?
—Do what? Anakin —his master was pretending to be clueless.
—Don’t play dumb, Obi-Wan...
They both stopped, they could clearly feel the holocron. Anakin ventured to look through the debris, there was a small box. He opened it immediately, and a surge in the Force destabilized him. Whatever the small object contained, it was strong.
—Anakin, drop that now —It was calling to him, he felt the temptation to open it and unravel all its secrets. He slowly placed his hand over it.
"I'm sorry. Forgive me. For everything."
"I am not your failure, Obi-Wan. You didn't kill Anakin Skywalker. I did. Just as I will kill you."
Anakin could see himself once again on his knees on that moon, full of rage, wanting to have the strength to get up and kill Obi-Wan. Right before feeling the complete opposite.
“The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was but the learner; now I am the master.”
“Only a master of evil, Darth.”
What was this vision? This hadn’t happened, Obi-Wan looked much older, and Vader had managed to kill him, his master hadn’t even tried to defend himself.
When he finally regained consciousness, he and his master were both shaken. Obi-Wan had seen the same thing he had...
Slowly stepping back, Obi-Wan took out his saber —you are not Anakin Skywalker —he ignited it and immediately took his Soresu stance —somehow Darth, you are here...
Darth, that was how Obi-Wan had called him the last time before turning away and leaving him.
Wait a minute.
—You —Anakin dropped the holocron, letting it fall to the floor —you know I fell to the dark side... but how? —he raised his hands, trying to show he didn’t want to fight, he was tired of being Vader, of being the Chosen One. He just wanted to be Anakin.
Obi-Wan slowly lowered his saber —I think we’re the same, Darth, somehow we have traveled back in time again...
—I... I mean... all this time you’ve known...? That’s why on Cato Neimoidia you knew how to resolve the conflict... and that was what you were talking about with Ventress, Dooku is going to betray her because you already know what happened —he was euphoric, he wasn’t alone in this, Obi-Wan also knew everything —wait, wait a moment, why didn’t you tell me?
Obi-Wan’s face showed surprise —why didn’t you tell me? —ouch, he’s right.
—You’re right, but I was scared. You’re the one in control, the one who fears nothing. One moment, this vision? I don’t remember living that, you were much older than the last time we saw each other...
—Darth... Anakin —he finally said —I think we came back in time, but from different dates. —he took a moment, thinking about how to continue —Nineteen years after Mustafar, you killed me with your own hands, in the horror you called the “Death Star” —Obi-Wan was clearly calculating his words, he didn’t want to reveal too much, Anakin was aware and could understand his master a little.
—It can’t be... I’ve only lived up to our confrontation on this moon... Obi-Wan, I’m so sorry —the words rushed out of his mouth, just thinking that even that life of horrors continued.
But the sentimentality was interrupted when they heard blaster fire. Cody and Rex were in trouble.